Sr. Director, Employment Law, Orthopedics

Johnson & Johnson • New Brunswick, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Sr. Director, Employment Law serves as a senior legal leader providing strategic and practical employment law counsel to business and functional leaders across DePuy Synthes globally. This role has significant impact on workforce strategy, employee relations, protection of confidential company information and customer goodwill, and risk management, helping the organization navigate complex employment matters while enabling business growth and protecting key business assets. The position offers the opportunity to shape the company’s global employment practices during a pivotal period of transformation and to influence outcomes at the enterprise level.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school required.
• Admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction required.
• Typically a minimum of 10-15 years of progressively responsible experience practicing employment law in a law firm and/or in‑house corporate environment.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. employment and labor laws and regulations.
• Experience with employment and labor laws internationally, including through working with outside counsel or in-house colleagues.
• Demonstrated experience advising senior leaders on complex and sensitive employment matters.
• Experience managing employment litigation and working effectively with outside counsel.
• Experience managing non-compete and non-solicitation litigation.
• Significant experience managing employee impacts related to reductions in force and either restructuring, acquisitions or divestitures
• Strong business judgment with the ability to balance legal risk and business objectives.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills and ability to present to senior executive leadership.

Nice To Haves

• Prior in‑house experience within a large, matrixed, or highly regulated business.
• Experience supporting manufacturing, life sciences, medical device, healthcare or global commercial organizations.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic employment law counsel to senior leaders and Human Resources partners on a wide range of workforce matters.
• Advise on employment-related risks associated with organizational change, restructuring, and business initiatives.
• Lead the management of complex employment litigation, claims, and government agency matters, partnering with outside counsel as appropriate.
• Develop, review, and interpret employment policies, practices, and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Provide guidance on employee and labor relations issues, including investigations, disciplinary actions, and terminations.
• Monitor changes in employment law and assess potential impact to the organization, recommending proactive solutions or changes to policy.
• Manage outside counsel relationships domestically and internationally within budget.
• Collaborate closely with HR, Health Care Compliance, and other Legal colleagues to deliver consistent, business‑aligned legal advice.
• Mentor and develop other legal professionals and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Legal function.

Benefits

• Consolidated retirement plan (pension)
• Savings plan (401(k))
• Long-term incentive program
• Vacation –120 hours per calendar year
• Sick time - 40 hours per calendar year (may vary by state)
• Holiday pay, including Floating Holidays –13 days per calendar year
• Work, Personal and Family Time - up to 40 hours per calendar year
• Parental Leave – 480 hours within one year of the birth/adoption/foster care of a child
• Bereavement Leave – 240 hours for an immediate family member: 40 hours for an extended family member per calendar year
• Caregiver Leave – 80 hours in a 52-week rolling period
• Volunteer Leave – 32 hours per calendar year
• Military Spouse Time-Off – 80 hours per calendar year

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree